Daphne plant named ‘HEWREB’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Daphne  plant named ‘HEWREB’ that is characterized by moderately dense habit, variegated dark green leaves with a broad yellow margin, and fragrant pale purple flowers. In combination these traits set ‘HEWREB’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Daphne  known to the inventor.

Genus: Daphne. Species: odora.

Denomination: ‘HEWREB’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Daphnegrown as an ornamental plant for use in the landscape. The new cultivaris known botanically as Daphne odora and will be referred to hereinafterby the cultivar name ‘HEWREB’.

‘HEWREB’ was discovered by the inventor in 1989 as a single variegatedbranch sport on an individual Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’(unpatented). The inventor selected ‘HEWREB’ from an individual plant ofDaphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’. The parent plant is Daphne odora‘Aureomarginata’. ‘HEWREB’ is distinguishable from ‘Aureomarginata’ isDaphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’. ‘HEWREB’ is distinguishable from‘Aureomarginata’ by a much broader yellow marginal band.

‘HEWREB’ is an ornamental shrub of moderately compact habit and foliagethat is dark green with a broad yellow margin and strongly scented palepurple flowers.

The closest comparison plant known by the inventor is the parent plantDaphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’. ‘HEWREB’ is most readily distinguishedfrom its parent, ‘Aureomarginata’ by its wider yellow margin.

‘HEWREB’ was first asexually propagated in 1993 by the inventor inDevon, England. Asexual propagation was accomplished using semi-hardwoodcuttings. Since that time, under careful observation, the distinguishingcharacteristics of ‘HEWREB’ have been determined stable and uniform, andare reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexualreproduction.

An application for a grant of European Community Plant Breeders Rightswas filed on Jan. 21, 2005, serial number 2005/0104. No plants of‘HEWREB’ have been made available to the public prior to the date offiling of the instant plant patent application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newDaphne odora cultivar ‘HEWREB’. In combination these traits set ‘HEWREB’apart from all other existing varieties of Daphne known to the inventor.‘HEWREB’ has not been tested under all possible conditions andphenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental,climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance ingenotype.

-   -   1. Daphne odora ‘HEWREB’ exhibits variegated foliage.    -   2. Daphne odora ‘HEWREB’ has dark green leaves with a wide        yellow margin.    -   3. Daphne odora ‘HEWREB’ is 1.3 m in height and 1.3 m width at        maturity.    -   4. Daphne odora ‘HEWREB’ exhibits fragrant pale purple flowers        that bloom from mid-winter to early spring.    -   5. Daphne odora ‘HEWREB’ exhibits moderately compact habit.    -   6. Daphne odora ‘HEWREB’ is suitable for use as a low accent        plant, mass plants in the landscape, and as a container plant.    -   7. Daphne odora ‘HEWREB’ performs well in well-drained, moist        soils.    -   8. Daphne odora ‘HEWREB’ is hardy to USDA Zone 7.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Daphne cultivar ‘HEWREB’ showing the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the drawings may differ from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actualcolors of the new variety ‘HEWREB’.

The drawings labeled FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 were taken in the spring of tenyear old plants growing out of doors in Essex, England. The plants werenot treated with any chemicals.

The drawing labeled FIG. 1 shows a whole plant in a landscape setting.

The drawing labeled FIG. 2 shows a close up of the flower cluster.

The drawings have been made from photographs taken by conventionaltechniques and although foliage colors may appear different from actualcolors due to light reflectance, they are accurate as possible byconventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of Daphne odora cultivar named‘HEWREB’. Data was collected from September 2005 until January 2006 fromplants grown out of doors in Essex, England. The plants areapproximately 10 years old. Color determinations are in accordance withthe 2001 Edition of the Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used. ‘HEWREB’ has not been tested under all possibleconditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations inenvironmental, climatic, and cultural conditions; however, without anyvariance in genotype. The growing requirements are similar to thespecies.

-   Botanical classification: Daphne odora ‘HEWREB’.-   Genus: Daphne.-   Species: odora.-   Denomination ‘HEWREB’.-   Commercial classification: Ornamental shrub.-   Common name: Daphne.-   Uses: Border shrub or in containers.-   Container size: Suggested container size is 1.5 to 2 liters for    producing a one or two year old plant.-   Cultural requirements: Plant in good general garden soil not prone    to waterlogging; full sun to partial shade.-   Parentage: ‘HEWREB’ was discovered as a single variegated branch    sport on an individual Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’.-   Plant description:    -   -   Blooming season.—From mid-winter into spring.        -   Plant habit.—Moderately dense.        -   Vigor.—Moderately vigorous.        -   Plant form.—Moderately open.        -   Plant dimensions (at maturity).—1.3 m in height, 1.3 m in            width.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy to USDA Zone 7.        -   Propagation.—Semi-hardwood cuttings.        -   Root system.—Fleshy.        -   Time to initiate roots.—12-14 weeks are needed to produce            roots on an initial cutting.        -   Air temperature to develop roots on initial cuttings.—An air            temperature of 23° Centigrade is ideal to produce roots on            initial cuttings.        -   Crop time.—10-12 months as a liner; one further growing            season to produce a flowering plant in a 1 liter container.        -   Seasonal interest.—Fragrant pale purple flowers from            mid-winter to spring; green leaves with wide yellow margins            year round.        -   Diseases and pests.—No particular susceptibility or            resistance to pests or diseases has been observed by the            inventor.-   Stem:    -   -   Mature branch color.—Between 200B and 200C.        -   Mature branch surface.—Slightly rough.        -   Mature branch lenticels shape.—Linear-elliptic.        -   Mature branch lenticels color.—Between N199B and N199C.        -   One year shoot dimensions.—37 mm in length, 3.5 mm in            diameter.        -   Internode length.—1.75 cm between nodes.        -   Shape.—Moderately open, usually di- or trichotomous.        -   Stem color.—Between 146B and 146C where shaded becoming            tinged with 178A in direct sunlight.-   Foliage:    -   -   Type.—Evergreen to semi-deciduous.        -   Internode length.—8 mm at base to 1 mm at the tip of an            individual shoot.        -   Arrangement.—Alternate; unevenly distributed with most            grouped toward tip.        -   Leaf.—Dimensions: 73 mm in length, 17 mm in width. Color            (adaxial): Center 137B, broad, 3 mm to 4 mm wide marginal            band of 160B. Color (abaxial): Center 138A, broad, 3 mm to 4            mm wide marginal band of 160B. Texture: Thick and leathery.            Division: Entire and unlobed. Shape: Elliptic-obovate. Base:            Cuneate. Apex: Mucronate. Margin: Entire. Venation: Pinnate.            Vein color (adaxial and abaxial): 147D. Surface (adaxial and            abaxial): Smooth. Attachment: Sessile. Foliar fragrance:            None observed.-   Flower:    -   -   Inflorescence.—Terminal heads.        -   Number of flowers in a terminal inflorescence.—17 to 23.        -   Inflorescence depth.—15 mm to 20 mm.        -   Inflorescence diameter.—26 mm to 35 mm.        -   Peduncle.—None.        -   Bud.—Shape: Upper third ellipsoid, lower two thirds            cylindrical. Dimensions: 12 mm in length, 2 mm in diameter.            Color: Upper third (lobes) 59C. Lower two thirds (tube)            nearest 176B.        -   Pedicel.—Dimensions: 2 mm in length, 1 mm in diameter.            Color: 139D. Pubescence: Present, fine, white.        -   Flower.—Dimensions: 13 mm in length, 11 mm in width.            Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-cleaning. Type: Single.            Fragrance: Very strong and sweet. Shape: Trumpet-shape.            Aspect: Tightly congested into inflorescence so aspect            dependent on position in inflorescence. Calyx: Dimensions:            11 mm in length. Tube dimensions: 7 mm in length, 2 mm in            diameter. Tube pubescence: Absent. Tube color: Between 75B            and 75C. Number of lobes: 4 arranged in 2 whorls of 2. Lobe            shape: Ovate. Lobe tip shape: Obtuse. Lobe margins: Entire,            slightly inrolled. Outer lobe dimensions: 7 mm in length, 4            mm in width. Inner lobe dimensions: 5 mm in length, 3 mm in            width. Lobe pubescence: Absent. Outer lobe surface color:            Outer lobes, 70B; inner lobes between 75A and 75B. Inner            lobe surface color: Outer and inner lobes 76D. Corolla:            Absent, as is characteristic of the genus.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Number: 8, mostly imperfect, being reduced to            slender white threads approximately 1 mm long. Filament            dimensions: Less than 1 mm in length. Filament color: 155C.            Anther dimensions: Where apparently complete, less than 1 mm            in length and width. Anther color: 16A. Pollen color: None            produced.        -   Pistil.—Number: 1 Stigma shape: Circular, flattened cushion            shape. Stigma dimensions: Less than 0.5 mm in length, 1 mm            in diameter. Stigma color: 155C, translucent. Style shape:            Broad ovoid. Style dimensions: Length and diameter both            approximately 0.8 mm. Style color: Nearest 150D.        -   Ovary.—Dimensions: 1.5 mm in length, 1 mm in diameter.            Shape: Ellipsoid. Position: Superior. Color: 145B.-   Seed: None produced.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Daphne plant named ‘HEWREB’ asdescribed and illustrated herein.